Chapter 35

"Is what Kaede said, 'I'll do anything,' still valid?"

"Wh-what!?"

Before bedtime, as I called out to Kaede, who was lying down on the bed, from the sofa, she replied with a strange, high-pitched voice.

"U-um, um, yes. I-I'm fine, but... um! At least, could you let me prepare a little bit...?"

"Prepare for what..."

Kaede, who seemed to be thinking of something inappropriate, blushed, and I held my head in my hands. Ignoring Kaede, who was writhing uncomfortably in bed, I continued speaking.

"Well, if that's the case, it's easier to talk. Let's go for a drive next time."

"...A drive?"

"Found a community where survivors gather."

Kaede, who seemed to realize her misunderstanding, stopped moving and looked at me with a questioning gaze. When I said this, her eyes widened in surprise.

"I didn't mention it, but that was the purpose of my errand. I was looking for a functioning shelter."

Of course, that became my goal after meeting Kaede, but there's no need to explain that now.

"So that's it," Kaede said. I told her about making contact with them, that it was a safe place, that we would be accepted, and that some acquaintances had also taken refuge there.

"Since there are people there, and I heard there are no disputes, Kaede will be able to live more comfortably there than here."

"Um, Azami-san...?"

"Hm?"

"Will Azami-san also take refuge there with us?"

"Yeah. They want Azami to be there, according to the leader, Oda."

I don't know how long we'll stay, but I want to do as much as I can while we're there.

"Is that so? Then... I understand."

Hearing Kaede's response, I explained the evacuation procedures in detail. Just to be safe, I asked if she was confident in her physical strength, and she said she could climb a rope ladder without any trouble. That was a relief.

The problem is that I might have to put on a big show, but I'll try to do just enough to avoid looking unnatural.

The other concern is that Kaede might freeze in fear when faced with zombies.

To address this, I guess I'll have to "get her used to it." I've already obtained the necessary items for this during the past few days of outings.

Kaede's offer to do anything I say seems to still be valid. If so, I'll use it again.

"The departure will be in a few days, so it's good to start preparing little by little. But there's not much to prepare, really."

"Understood. What about Azami-san?"

"I have something to do, but I won't leave this building."

"...?"

Kaede looked at me with a question mark, but I didn't answer and lay down, pulling the blanket over me.

"Let's go to sleep then."

"...Understood. Good night, Azami-san."

"Yeah, good night."

We exchanged greetings, and Kaede turned off the LED lantern next to the bed, plunging the room into darkness.

+++++

The next morning, I went down to the first floor of the home center. Of course, Kaede was very worried about this, but when I explained it was part of my errand, she seemed to have no choice but to back down.

There are two main tasks I need to do now.

The first is to make it easier to move Kaede to the car parked at the main entrance when we leave.

I plan to use the emergency stairs, so I need to clear a path to the car by moving scattered merchandise and fallen shelves.

If there are zombie corpses along the way, Kaede will worry about when they might move, slowing her down. I occasionally used a crowbar to knock the heads off the few zombies that got in my way, kicking their bodies, including those already on the floor, to a distance.

Even if zombies get in the way on the day of departure, I can deal with them later. Of course, the number of zombies in the area has decreased significantly due to my recent outings.

"Alright."

The first task was completed, and while the path from the emergency stairs to the car wasn't perfect, it was clear enough. A new zombie, walking unsteadily, approached from outside the store. It was a male zombie, likely a diligent salaryman in life, with neatly cut black hair now disheveled, and a suit torn and damaged by bite marks.

"Will you do?"

I looked at the zombie and moved to the emergency stairs, opening the fire door. I had unlocked it beforehand.

I entered and waited for the zombie on the stairs. Once it entered the emergency stairs, I switched positions, closed the door, and locked it.

The other zombies would likely pound on the fire door, but that's fine.

I dodged the attack of the approaching salaryman zombie, kicked it against the wall, and before it could turn around, I leaped to the landing and ran up to the next floor.

The preparations were complete.

Now, it's time for the second task.

"Should I call Kaede over?"